Device for saving gold and other precious metals



, s. I. MARSH; DEVICE FOR S AVING GOLD AND 0TI1HI PRECIOUS METALS.

. APPLICATION FILED JULY I. I920- 199 2 sums-sum l.

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s. '1. MARSH. DEVICE FOR SAVING GOLD AND OTHER PRECIOUS METALS. I

Patentedspt- 19,1922.

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APPLICATION FILED JULY l1 I920.

Patented Sept. 12, 1922.

SAMUEL J. MAR-SH, 0Z5 QUESNEL, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

DEVICE FORSAVING GOLD AND OTHER PRECIOUS METALS.

Application filed July 1. 1920. Serial No. 393,366.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. MARSH, citizen of the United. States, residing at Quesnel, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Saving Gold and Other Precious Metals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a method and means for recovering fine gold existing in a free state in alluvial deposits or in the pulp resulting from crushing alluvial concentrates or'free gold ores.

The method is also adapted to receive a considerable proportion of the fine flakes and grains of platinum and osmiridium which are frequently associated in such gold bearing ores.

The object of the invention is to make as full a recovery as possible of such free gold by amalgamation and to recover fine flour gold not readily recoverable by such means and therefore frequently lost.

It is obvious that when the metallic particles are contained or included in the grains of concentrates'or ores, such concentrates or ore must be crushed or ground very fine to liberate the particles.

The invention is particularly described in the following specification, reference being made to the drawings by which it isv accompanied, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the amalgamator being taken on the line 11 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the rilfle frame to an enlarged scale.

Fig. l is a cross section on the line 4 l in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an end view of thebase frame showing the connection of the intermediate frame to it.

In these drawings 2 represents the base frame from an upward projection at one end of which a pivot 3 supports a sub-frame 4 at an angle of approximately thirty degrees. The lower ends of this sub-frame 4 rest on wedges 5 by which the angle of the frame may be adjusted to meet requirements. From this sub-frame 4 a table frame 6 is carried on upright springs 7, the ends of which are socketed in the sub-frame and table frame respectively. These springs are adapted to allow for lateral oscillation of the table frame, which oscillation is imparted by eccentrics 8 secured on a shaft 9 rotatably amounted parallel to the table frame and driven by a belt over a pulley 10 from any convenient source of power.

Across the table frame 6 transverse bars 11 are secured at substantially uniform distances apart, the upper sides of which bars are angled to the frame so as to be practically level.

The riflle frames 12 are inserted through slotted apertures 15 in the side walls 16 of the table frame (iin which they are supported and are retained therein by any suitable simple fastening, such 'as a'pivoted elongated button.

011 the upper side of each transverse bar 11 an amalgamated plate 13 is secured and on the upper sides of the riffie bars 12 a thick woolen blanket 14:. is secured, the upper sides of the bars being rounded to receive it, and the blanket is looselypocketed between the bars as shown in Fig. 3.

At the upper end of the table suitable provision is made at 17 for distributing the pulp evenly over the width of the table and at the lower end provision is made for receiving the tailings.

In use, the pulp with a sufiiciency of water is delivered and distributed at 17, a little quicksilver being sprinkled at intervals over the spread pulp and over the riillo blankets. This spread pulp flows successively over the substantially level amalgamated plates 13 and the blanket pockets of the riflie frames 12.

Any free gold that may under the flow and the lateral vibration be brought into contact with the amalgamated plates 13 will adhere. thereto, while rusty gold and platinum or other precious metals,which have no affinity for quicksilver, will be caught in the blanket rifiies of 14: which riftles alternate in groups with the amalgamating plates. Any

free gold that may escape the amalgamatingplates will also'be caught in the riiiies and amalgamate with the sprinkled quicksilver.

An essential feature of this gold recovery means lies in the relatively steep angle at which the riflle frames are set. an angle of forty-five degrees in these as against-a usual grade not exceeding one in twelve (almost 59). This steep angle is such that the water and pulp as it falls from one riflie to the other will be aerated or will bubble in its fall. This bubbling of the water prevents the individual fibres of the wool from beinglaid'down but keeps them erect and in a state of agitation which is the most favor able condition for the entanglement of fine particles of metal. Beyond this is the fact that the fine float particles of metal are attracted and attach themselves to the surfaces of the air bubbles and as these bubblesv are carried down among the fibres of the blanket they burst and the collected particles of fine gold are retained in contact with the blanket, and if subject to amalgamation will agglomerate withthe quicksilver which has been sprinkled among the pulp and settled I in the bottom of the rifiles.

with transversely disposed substantially horizontal amalgamated plates, this device marks a distinct improvement in appliances for the recovery of finegold or other rare metals, such as platinum and osmiridium,

all of Which may be recovered in the one machine. It is applicable either for the recovery of fine gold from placer dirt. or from I crushed ores or concentrates ofores which contain finely divided precious metals included in the crystallinestructure of the ore and set free by the crushingf Having nowparticularly described my invention, I hereby declare that what I claim as new and desire to bepiotected in by Letters Patent, is:

1. Means for obtaining precious metals from ore pulp, said means comprising a launder having relatively deep blanket covered 'riifles across its width, the general grade-of the ri'li'led portions of the launder being not less than twentyv degrees from the horizontal, and means for spreading the finely divided pulp with Water across the width of the launder at the upper end.

2. Means for obtaining precious metals from ore pulp, said means comprising a launder, amalgamated plates at intervals apart across the bottom of said launder, groups of relatively deep blanket covered riffies across the width of the launder between the amalgamated plates, the amalgamating plates being set at a slight angle from the horizontal and the general grade of the riflle groupsbeing at an incline of not less than twenty degrees from the horizontal.

3. Means for obtaining precious metals from ore pulp, said means comprising a launder, frames of relatively deep blanket covered riflies inserted across the widthof the launder the ends of the rifile frames-being inserted in apertures in the sides of, the launder to be coincident therewith when in place.

launder, amalgamated plates in the bottom of it across the width at intervals apart lengthwise of the launder, said plates being at aslight incline from the horizontal, frames of relatively deep blanket covered riffles inserted through apertures in the side walls of the launder to extend across it between the amalgamated plates, theends of the riliie frames being coincident with the side walls of the launder, and the general slope of the riflies being not less than twenty degrees.

5. Means for obtaining precious metals from. ore pulp, said means comprising a base frame, an intermediate frame pivotally con- .nected at one end to the base frame and adjustably supported at the other end therefrom, a launder supported from the intermediate frame on springsthat will permit of lateral vibration being imparted to the launder, and means mounted on the intermediate frame for imparting alateral vibrating movement to the launder.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

SAMUEL J. MARSH. 

